Academy Manager Peter Malone enjoyed a winning start to his new role of Munster A Head Coach today in Musgrave Park, defeating Connacht Eagles 20-12.
Munster A led 13 nil at the break thanks to a Dave O’Callaghan try and two penalties and a conversion from Johnny Holland.
Munster looked the superior side in the opening forty, dominating the scrum and making the breaks.
Holland opened the scoring after 6 minutes with his first penalty and Dave O’Callaghan followed up with the first try six minutes later. Captain Gerry Hurley claimed the put-in from the Connacht scrum and made the offload to O’Callaghan who sprinted for the line breaking two Connacht tackles to dive for the opening try. With Johnny adding the extras Munster led 10 nil after 15 minutes.
The home-side were physical at the breakdown with the pack, a mix of senior and academy players, making the required hits. Shane Buckley had a great turn-over when he knocked man and ball back inside the Munster 22 before Johnny Holland added Munster’s second penalty to extend the lead by thirteen points.
Cork Con’s latest signing Niall Kenneally also impressed in the centre with a number of crunching tackles.
Connacht had a chance to reduce the margin just before the half-time whistle but out-half Jack Carty was short with the attempt.
After the break Munster kicked-on through a Darren O’Shea try just right of the posts, nicely set up by Dave O’Callaghan’s offload and Holland added his fourth kick of the evening to give Munster a 20 nil lead.
A number of successive penalties stopped Munster from progressing any further and the side were unable to gather the same attacking momentum they enjoyed in the opening half.
It was Connacht who closed out the game scoring two tries with winger Steve Macauley claiming both. Carty added one conversion to give the visitors a final tally of twelve points.
Munster A held on to record their first victory of the season.
Munster A: Rory Scannell; Darren Sweetnam, Cian Bohane, Niall Kenneally (Steve Hansel 71), Harry McNulty (Rory White 66), Jonathan Holland, Gerry Hurley Capt. (Brian Haugh 76); Alan Cotter (Ger Sweeney 76), Duncan Casey (Niall Scannell 55), Paddy Ryan (Niall Horan 76), Billy Holland (Ryan Murphy H/T), Darren O’Shea, Dave O’Callaghan (Aaron McCloskey 60), Barry O’Mahony, Shane Buckley (Willie Ryan 51’).
Referee: Nigel Correll (IRFU)
